Saudi Air Defence Forces Intercept Ballistic Missile Fired by Houthis

Second missile fired from Saada governorate in the same direction lands in the desert

RIYADH, May 19, 2018 – The spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Col. Turki Almalki, said Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces on Saturday evening intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia towards Saudi Arabia from Saada governorate in Yemen.

Another missile fired by the Houthis in the same direction landed in the desert.

“The ballistic missile was intercepted at exactly 6.14pm Riyadh time,” Col Almalki said in a statement.

“The Saudi Royal Air Defence Forces spotted another missile that landed in an uninhabited desert.

Thankfully there were no reports of any damage until the time this statement was issued,” he added.

He said that the two rockets were aimed at the Saudi city of Khamis Mushait and were targeted at busy civilian areas.

Col. Almalki said: “This hostile action by the Houthi terrorist group supported by Iran proves the Iranian regime’s sustained involvement in supporting the Houthis with material capabilities, in clear defiance of UN Resolutions 2216 and 2231 in order to undermine the security of Saudi Arabia, the region and the international community.

“The firing of ballistic missiles at populated towns and villages is contrary to international humanitarian law.”